| Everyone knows about Cape Cod and Boston as | | | | as big a holiday as in Boston. Every year the |
| great travel destinations. But, there are lesser | | | | Boston Symphony Pops Orchestra plays |
| traveled gems like Cape Ann and Western Mass. | | | | outdoors, synchronized with the fireworks display |
| Below, I have suggested some of my favorite | | | | along the Esplanade. Travel to |
| holiday trips. Explore Massachusetts and keep | | | | Boston for the 4th of July and you will not be |
| coming back for more!Gloucester / Rockport - | | | | disappointed.The Freedom Trail - No Boston |
| Gloucester and Rockport are the gems of Cape | | | | holiday is complete without a trip down |
| Ann. Both towns offer art communities, real | | | | the Freedom Trail. A red line known as the |
| fishing communities, great beaches, | | | | Freedom trail circles around the city of |
| whale watches, and more. Gloucester has | | | | Boston, leading you to some of the most |
| recently become famous as the real life | | | | important historical sites pertaining to the |
| and hollywood home of the Perfect Storm. If | | | | United States' Independence. Highlights of the |
| you are looking for history (these towns | | | | walk include, Old Ironsides, Boston |
| were founded shortly after the Pilgrims landed), | | | | Common, the Paul Revere house, and the Old |
| great seafood, art, beaches (try | | | | State House. You can pick up the |
| Good Harbor Beach or Wingaersheek Beach), | | | | Freedom Trail at any point and walk a part or |
| festivals such as St. Peter's Fiesta, the | | | | walk the whole thing. Travel the |
| Folklife Festival, or the Fish Festival.... visit Cape | | | | Freedom trail and realize why Boston is a great |
| Ann and be amazed!Salem - Travel to Salem and | | | | city for history and walking.Foliage Tour - Mohawk |
| learn a little bit about America's sad and | | | | Trail, otherwise known as Rte. 2, is by far the |
| scary past. Due to the hysterics of two young | | | | most popular foliage tour in Massachusetts. Fall is |
| girls, the town of Salem (which at that | | | | an unbelievably beautiful time in |
| time was actually located in what is now | | | | New England, and Massachusetts is certainly no |
| Danvers) began the Salem witch trials in | | | | exception. No matter where you |
| 1692. Sadly, at that time, persecution of witches | | | | travel during the fall foliage season, you are sure |
| was not uncommon, but these | | | | to seem some amazing colors. |
| trials are among the most famous. 24 people | | | | Apple picking goes hand in hand with leaf peeping, |
| eventually died as a direct result of the | | | | so feel free to get off the beaten |
| Salem witch trials. Today, you can visit several | | | | trail and wander around some of the more rural |
| museums dedicated to this piece of | | | | areas. If you have time, join in a |
| history. Among them are, the Peabody Essex | | | | hayride and drink some great hot apple |
| Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, | | | | cider!Mount Greylock / Appalachian Trail - Mount |
| and the Witch Dungeon Museum. Salem is now a | | | | Greylock has long been the |
| popular destination for present day | | | | inspiration for American writers. Today the |
| witches.National Seashore - Travel to see the | | | | protected lands cover 12,000 acres |
| dunes at Cape Cod's National | | | | including the highest point in Massachusetts. |
| Seashore, and you will see a federally protected | | | | Features include the Bascom Lodge, |
| sea shore. There are over 40,000 | | | | over 70 hiking trails, and amazing views. If you |
| acres of dunes sprawling across 40 miles running | | | | are interested in hiking a portion of |
| the length of Cape Cod. To truly | | | | the Appalachian trail, there is access through this |
| enjoy the views, the salt air, and the crashing | | | | park.You can explore the nature and history of |
| waves.... rent a bicycle and ride along | | | | Massachusetts for years and never see at |
| an old Indian trail. The ride will also give you a | | | | all. The beach will continue to call you, the foliage |
| glimpse of old new England wealth | | | | with amaze you year after year, |
| and summer spirit as you pass by historic | | | | and the museums and history will keep you |
| mansions and towns.Martha's Vineyard - Martha's | | | | thinking and learning. Enjoy the state |
| Vineyard as long been a popular holiday | | | | and realize why the locals never need to |
| destination for travelers around the world and | | | | leave!Michelle is a travel buff who has recently |
| across the continent. Charm is | | | | moved away from Hawaii, but is |
| overflowing on this island. Take a ferry from | | | | anxiously awaiting the day when she can return. |
| Wood's Hole and explore the cranberry | | | | In the meantime, she occupies her |
| bogs, sand dunes, and New England architecture | | | | time by helping others compare and select |
| of Martha's Vineyard. For an | | | | vacation options.Your Life Passion - Specialty |
| alternate trip, check out Nantucket.Pop Goes the | | | | Travel, |
| Fourth - Nowhere in the United States is the | | | | Guided Tours, Vacation Rentals, Spa Resorts and |
| Fourth of July | | | | More! |